Improved spring bed-bottom



' diluted giants agatent dtiiiiine.

WILLIAM MCARTHUR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JAMES AKINSM-ITH, OF SAME PLACE.-

Lettcrs Patent No. 104,048, dated June 7, 1870.

IMPROVED SPRING- BED-BOTTOM.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

I, WILLIAM MCARTHUR, of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Spring Bottom for Bedst-eads, of which the following is a specification.

Nature and Object of the Invention.

My invention consists of a bed-bottom in whichcertain slats, vertical and horizontal springs, cross-pieces and pads are arranged as fully described hereafter, so as to produce a bed-bottom that is elastic, durable, and simple in its construction, and which may be readily put together, or taken apart for storage or transportation.

Description of the Agcompmtying Drawing.

Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, of my improved spring bottom for bedsteads Figure 2, a plan view of the same;

Figure 3, a transverse sectional view; and

Figures 4 and 5, enlarged detached views of modifications.

General Description.

" side-pieces.

The cross-pieces D D D, which support the springs F, are merely fitted, at their opposite ends, into openings formed in the side-pieces A A of the frame, so that they may be readily detached when the latter is taken apart, and each of the said cross-pieces is slightly curved or arched, as best observed in fig. 3, so as to better resist the strain to which it is subjected, and to prevent the bed from sagging downward in the center.

The springs F, which are of a conical form, are secured to the cross-pieces D in single rows, and in any suitable manner, and they are prevented from rattling upon the cross-pieces when'suddenly contracted or depressed, by means of a cord or rope, h, which extends along each cross-piece and between the lower coils of each spring. But three cross-pieces. with their springs, are shown in the drawing, but any desired number may be used.

The springs, instead of being inverted, as is usual in this class of bedstcads, rest with their extended bases upon the cross-pieces D, so as to be better able to support and prevent any lateral swaying'of the slats H, which are attached to their upper ends. The springs are merely bent with a single turn at their upper ends, soas to embrace the slats, but so loosely that the latter can be drawnlongitudinally through them, when the several parts of the bed are to be detached from each other. v

In order to prevent any lateral strain upon, and consequent twisting of the springs, by a longitudinal movement of the slats, each of the latter is provided, at its opposite ends, with thrust-springs, T, of spirallycoiled wire, which bear against the end pieccs. B B of the frame.

These thrust-springs are attached tothe rounded ends of the slats, and have each a pin or cork, h, which is'inserted into a recess in the end-piece, the said springs thus steadying and preventing any longitudinal swaying of the slats, but offering no obstruction whatever to the free vertical movement of the latter. Instead" of forming these thrust-springs of coiled wire, lengths of gum tubing or, blocks of solid gum,

suitably attached to the slats, might be used, as shown in figs. 4. and 5.

In fig. 4, the gum tube is attached to the slats, and has a plug or pin, it, adapted to the end-piece, iuthe same manner as the wire springs, and, in fig. 5, the gum is arranged to slide vertically against the inner face of the end-piece, instead of being attached tothe same. The wire spring might also bear-ranged in this latter way.

The principal advantagesof my invention are, that the frame, which is one of great strength, can be quickly taken apart and-put together, and theslats removed from or attached to the supporting-springs, while the rattling of the latter and unequal strains uponthe same .are prevented.

2. The combination and arrangement of the curved bars D, slats H, springs F and It, and frame A, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witmesses.

WILLIAM McAltTHUR.

Witnesses:

FRANK B. RICHARDS, HARRY SMITH. 

